Fatigue

[Paulagcl]

Well, at 5 mg pred I am experiencing what I've been reading here called "deathly fatigue." I guess this is it for months to come. At the moment I don't have the energy to do anything. On the other hand I just learned that a friend is in hospice, one of the situations where it happened all at once. So I am reminding myself this could be a lot worse.

[SnazzyD]

It can drag on a bit but one can’t predict it really, which is part of the issue when trying to get on with life. It helps not to push yourself too much which increases your cortisol requirement at a time when you might not be able to oblige. Saying no and being a party pooper may be necessary. Some things are unavoidable such as distress, which will make you feel dreadful and unable to cope physically, especially sudden shock, if your cortisol can’t be made in enough quantity. My life was a bit dull for some time, but I had periods where it wasn’t too bad. Have you read about the adrenal glands in the FAQ’s?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Months to come? Not necessarily, everyone is different and you may be one who doesn't struggle for months. But it is also a personal thing as to what you are willing and able to tolerate with day to day life. I had to go back up before Christmas, it was more than just fatigue, it was coping with other things too.

[Selfbuilder]

I don't have the fatigue so badly but have noticed that if I have something to occupy me, particularly outdoors, I'm fine. If I sit down with a cuppa (or worse still, a G & T) then I'm out! I've decided that I can see the positive in this; I don't have to "get back to work" and I can still do things. I'm no expert but I think you have to listen to your body, go with the flow but try doing things sometime to see if it's "permitted".

PS, I am in the luxurious position of having sneaked down to 0.5mg of pred after 4 years.

[Viveka]

I have found that there is no rhyme or reason to adrenals. You might feel tired for a day, a week or a month. You might feel better with your next taper but with the next one some version of tiredness/weepy-wobblies re-emerges. The only thing is to take it as easy as possible, rest whenever you can, and know it will improve sooner or later.